What a Sports Physical Therapy Evaluation Should Include

By Dr. Carmen Jansante, PT, DPT, CSCS

Undefeated Physical Therapy & Performance

One of the things I emphasize most when athletes come to see us is this:

if you’re an athlete, you should be evaluated by a physical therapist who specializes in athletes.

Just like you wouldn’t see a general provider for a highly specific injury, athletes deserve care from clinicians who understand their sport. For example, if someone comes to us with a concussion, we’re going to refer them to a concussion specialist—because that’s what’s best for the athlete.

At Undefeated Physical Therapy & Performance, we specialize in treating athletes, with a heavy focus on upper-extremity and throwing-related injuries. That specialization shapes how we evaluate, treat, and return athletes to performance.

So what should a true sports physical therapy evaluation include?

1. An Evaluation Based on Your Sport

A proper sports PT evaluation is not generic. It should be built around:

• Your sport

• Your position

• The specific movements you repeat

Your evaluation should include the motions your sport demands, not just basic tests done on a table.

2. Assessment of How You Move—Both Sides of the Body

We start by watching how you move on both sides of your body. Many sports are unilateral—throwing, hitting, serving—so we expect some asymmetries.

The goal isn’t to make you “perfectly symmetrical.”

The goal is to establish your baseline and understand what’s normal for you.

3. Passive Movement to Identify Tissue vs. Joint Limitations

After observing how you move, we move you.

This allows us to determine:

• Is the limitation coming from muscle tissue?

• Is it joint-related?

• Is stiffness restricting your motion?

These findings help guide whether pain is driven by mobility restrictions, joint mechanics, or tissue irritation.

4. Specific Testing of the Irritated Structures

From there, we assess the exact structures involved.

Through specialized positions and testing, we can differentiate whether symptoms are coming from:

• A joint

• A ligament

• The joint capsule

• Cartilage or labral tissue

This isn’t guesswork—it’s based on advanced training and clinical experience in sports-specific care.

5. Strength Testing in Sport-Specific Positions

Strength isn’t just tested in a neutral position.

We assess strength in positions that matter for your sport—the positions where force is produced and injuries often occur. Weakness in these positions can be a major contributor to pain and performance limitations.

6. Evaluation of the Entire Kinetic Chain

We never just look at the painful area.

One of the most important aspects of a sports PT evaluation is looking above and below the site of pain and assessing the body as a system.

For example, we once evaluated a young throwing athlete with elbow pain. After reviewing video of his throwing, it was clear he was losing balance and stability lower in the chain, causing his arm angle to drop.

There was nothing wrong with his elbow.

The real issue was a lack of lower-body and trunk stability.

That’s why whole-body evaluation matters.

7. A Plan That’s Not One-Size-Fits-All

At Undefeated Physical Therapy & Performance, we don’t chase symptoms and we don’t apply Band-Aids.

We:

• Identify the true source of pain

• Break the problem down

• Build a creative, individualized program specific to you and your sport

Our goal is not just pain relief—it’s durability, confidence, and long-term performance.

Ready for a True Sports Physical Therapy Evaluation?

If you’re an athlete dealing with pain, limitations, or performance setbacks, don’t settle for a generic approach.

📱Text us at 412-627-2131 to schedule an evaluation or ask a question.

We’d be glad to help you move better, feel better, and perform at your best.